"The leaflet outlines the law as it stands at present on airguns and urges anyone who is concerned about a legal weapon in their possession to hand it in to their local police station."

Recent legislation - which is governed across the UK by the Home Office - made it an offence to possess an airgun in a public place without reasonable excuse such as vermin control near farms.

It also raised the minimum age for airgun ownership from 14 to 17 while outlawing the import of and licensing certain types of gas cartridge airguns.

Ms Jamieson said ministers did not want to rush in "bad legislation" before a Home Office review of gun laws reported.

She said she wanted "nothing ruled in or out at this stage".

In a Holyrood debate on Thursday, the Scottish National Party will press for the Scottish Parliament to gain powers over firearms legislation, in order to tackle what the Nationalists argue are Scotland's "distinctive" firearms problems, such as replica weapons.

A 27-year-old suspect, Mark Bonini, has appeared in court accused of firing an air weapon or similar instrument at Andrew Morton, whereby he died after being struck on the head by a pellet.